SB2339, or the carjacking bill, passed
the Illinois House of Representatives yesterday. The bill allows stolen motor vehicle crimes to be prosecuted like other stolen property crimes, and also allows some juveniles who are arrested for carjacking to be detained pretrial. These are overdue changes necessary to staunch the wave of hi-jackings in our city.

Special thanks to State Representative Melissa Conyears-Ervin, one of our Ward's State Representatives, who serves on the Transportation committee, for her "Yes" vote in committee before the full House vote. The bill goes back to the Illinois Senate for reconciliation. If finalized, it should be on Governor Rauner's desk soon for signing.

Additional Charges Brought in Gold Coast Carjacking Case

The carjacker arrested on April 26 at a high-rise on Lake Shore Drive, Earrious Moore,
has been charged in a
10-count indictment in federal court. Moore is charged with two carjackings — including one vehicle taken at gunpoint from an off-duty
Chicago police officer — as well as three attempted carjackings. He was also charged with five counts of either brandishing or discharging a .40-caliber handgun. Fortunately, this case is being brought in federal court as part of the Carjacking Task Force, and the offender is being held without bail.

This effort by the U.S. Attorney's Office demonstrates that forceful prosecutorial work can aid to stop carjackings, in addition to the new laws we seek in Springfield. Thank you to the United States Attorney's Office, Chicago Police and the federal ATF officers who have worked this case.

Last week, City Council Friday increased the powers of the Council Office of Financial Analysis, or COFA. The new ordinance requires that COFA prepare a fiscal analysis at least 72 hours before a City Council vote on any measure:

Directly or indirectly expending funds or increasing or decreasing city revenue;

Appropriating funds;

Increasing or decreasing existing appropriations;

Increasing or decreasing the City's fiscal liability;

Selling or leasing any city asset, including revenue streams from that asset, if the anticipated revenue from the sale or lease of the asset is greater than $15,000,000.

The Fiscal Transparency Ordinance helps Aldermen have a better understanding of the financial impact that policy proposals could have on the City Budget - before voting.

I'm proud to have spearheaded the ordinance creating COFAin 2013 and to have joined Alderman Reilly (42) as a co-sponsor of the Fiscal Transparency Ordinance to strengthen financial oversight to benefit
taxpayers, now and in the future.

The New Lincoln Avenue

The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce unveiled the New Lincoln Avenue plan, developed by the Lincoln Avenue SSA, the Chamber, and my office, along with input from hundreds of community residents. Initiatives will be implemented in the next few years and will include:

new streetscapes and signage

pedestrian-friendly improvements to our streets and sidewalks

new area programming

Coming this year:

An art projection by artist Annette Elliot on the exterior of part of the construction site of the Lincoln Common.

A rejuvenated alley behind the McDonald's at Fullerton and Halsted, including a mural and events.

City Council honored LPHS ROTC student Lt. Colonel Brandon Arias on being named Commander of LPHS' ROTC battalion. Pictured are Brandon, along with Major Yessenia Gonzalez, and faculty member Major Wayne Marquez.

The Lincoln Park High Lion Battalion received its tri-annual inspection, earning 98 out of 100 points, earning it a "Honor Unit with Distinction" grade, making this one of the top ROTC programs in the city. Plus, the Lion Battaltion Drumline Team came in 2nd place in its citywide competition. Look for this great drumline team at the next Lincoln Park High Homecoming Parade in October. Congratulations to another great program at LPHS!

Volunteers Needed!

35th Annual

Taste of Lincoln Festival

Saturday, July 28th and Sunday, July 29th

Mark your calendars!

The festival is and always has been a community fundraiser for the Wrightwood Neighbors Association and the hard work of volunteers has allowed it to generously support schools, parks, and many other valuable community institutions.

If you or anyone within your organization are interested in volunteering at this year’s Taste, please complete the online sign up form.

Upcoming Events

Food, Fun & Opa!

Lincoln Park Greekfest

St. George Greek Orthodox Church

2701 N. Sheffield Ave.

Friday, June 1, 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Saturday, June 2, Noon - 11 p.m.

Sunday, June 3, Noon - 10 p.m.

The Lincoln Park Greek Fest brings all the aromas, sounds, tastes and traditions of Greece to your doorstep. This popular annual cultural celebration on the grounds of St. George Greek Orthodox Church will serve up authentic flavorful food, great music, dancing and pure fun.

The 5th annual event will be held at Lincoln Central Park (corner of Lincoln & Dickens) and along Richard "Dickie" Harris Way (the stretch of Dickens between Lincoln & Larrabee). Spring Zing is a fun, family oriented event with carnival games, bouncy house, treats, bike repairs and more! For more info, click
here.

The City Clerk's office in cooperation with our office will be holding their annual City Sticker sale on Thursday, June 7th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Only stickers expiring in June 2018 will be renewed. Cash will not be accepted. Credit card, check, or money order are the only forms of payment accepted.

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You can also purchase a dog license or CityKey ID card. This card offers benefits such as reduced admission to many city museums. Learn morehere.
You can fill out an application here.

The CHICAGO BLUES PIANO CONTEST

Performing Arts Studio

630 W. Webster 1-E

June 10, 2018

Begins 3:00 p.m.

Lincoln Park is home to some of the most unique and original blues venues in the country -
Kingston Mines and
B.L.U.E.S.. Watch Lincoln Park's own
Erwin Helfer, one of the world's most legendary jazz pianists, judge a new generation of pianists as they compete in the only piano competition dedicated to the Chicago style. Entries are free and open until May 31st.

We're again getting complaints about free advertising circulars being dropped off in front of houses. The most common is from a company called Red Plum, or RetailMeNot. If you have their weekly ad news paper come to your door, please recycle them or to opt out of these mailers, click
https://www.redplum.com/tools/direct-mail-preferences.